If you feed your dog Purina Pro Plan, you need to know this:
A Facebook group, Saving Pets One Pet @ A Time, claims Purina Pro Plan (and other brands) have caused hundreds of pets to get ill and some have died.
Purina denies this and says this is just a “rumor” and that its products are safe.
You can read my updated Medium Story here.
Don’t panic, but don’t ignore this either. Your dog’s health is important, and I want to help you.
If Purina Pro Plan is your dog’s current food, you may want to find a safer alternative that won’t break the bank.
Finding the right dog food for your pup can be tricky. That’s why I created this post to compare Purina Pro Plan with three other brands that are affordable, but safer and healthier.
I’ll also share some of my favorite brands that are more expensive but have better ingredients and are healthier for your dog than all of them.
3 Safer Alternatives to Purina Pro Plan
In order Based on cost:
Purina Pro Plan costs ($1.96-$3.32 per lb)
Fromm ($1.50-$2.76 per lb)
- Fromm and Purina Pro Plan are two popular dog food brands that offer various formulas and flavors for different life stages and dietary needs. However, Fromm seems to have higher quality ingredients, more natural sources of probiotics and prebiotics, and more flavor options than Purina Pro Plan. Purina Pro Plan, on the other hand, seems to have more products for different life stages, activity levels, and weight management goals than Fromm.
- Similarities:
- Chicken as the first ingredient
- Grains, probiotics, vitamins, minerals, omega fatty acids
- Products for different life stages, breed sizes, and dietary preferences
- Differences:
- Purina Pro Plan uses poultry by-product meal, which is a lower quality ingredient
- Purina Pro Plan uses corn and wheat, which are controversial ingredients
- Purina Pro Plan uses menadione, which is a synthetic form of vitamin K that has been linked to liver toxicity and other health problems
- Fromm uses cheese, flaxseed, yeast, chicory root extract, chelated minerals, flavor options
Solid Gold ($2.75 – $3.35 per lb)
- Solid Gold and Purina Pro Plan are two popular dog food brands that offer various formulas and flavors for different life stages and dietary needs. However, Solid Gold seems to have higher quality ingredients, more natural sources of probiotics and prebiotics, and more flavor options than Purina Pro Plan.
- Similarities:
- Chicken as the first ingredient
- Grains, probiotics, vitamins, minerals, omega fatty acids
- Products for different life stages, breed sizes, and dietary preferences
- Differences:
- Solid Gold uses more natural and premium ingredients, such as cheese, flaxseed, yeast, chicory root extract, and chelated minerals, which can enhance the nutritional value and digestibility of the food.
- Purina Pro Plan uses some lower quality and controversial ingredients, such as poultry by-product meal, corn, wheat, and menadione, which can be less nutritious and potentially harmful for some dogs.
- Solid Gold has more flavor options, such as duck, lamb, and salmon, which can appeal to dogs with different palates.
- Purina Pro Plan has more products for different activity levels and weight management goals, such as sport and bright mind, which can meet the specific needs of active and aging dogs.
- Here’s link to Solid Gold store on Amazon. It’s also available on Chewy’s.
Nulo ($2.44 – $3.45 per lb)
- Nulo has almost same differences as Solid Gold and Fromm.
- Nulo seems to have higher quality ingredients, more natural sources of probiotics and prebiotics, and more flavor options than Purina Pro Plan. Purina Pro Plan, on the other hand, seems to have more products for different life stages, activity levels, and weight management goals than Nulo.
- Nulo is made in Austin Texas
- Nulo has freeze-dried raw food and toppers that I like to use as treats as well.
Here are some of the main differences between the 3 alternatives:
(according to Bing CoPilot and dogfoodadvisor.com)
- Ingredients: All three brands use chicken as the first ingredient in most of their products, which is a high-quality source of protein. However, Fromm and Solid Gold also use cheese, flaxseed, yeast, chicory root extract, and chelated minerals, which are natural sources of probiotics, prebiotics, and minerals that can enhance the nutritional value and digestibility of the food. Nulo does not use these ingredients, but it does use lentils, which are a high-fiber and low-glycemic carbohydrate source. Purina Pro Plan uses some lower quality and controversial ingredients, such as poultry by-product meal, corn, wheat, and menadione, which can be less nutritious and potentially harmful for some dogs.
- Flavor options: All three brands have products for different dietary preferences, such as grain-free, limited-ingredient, and wet food. However, Fromm and Solid Gold have more flavor options, such as duck, lamb, and salmon, which can appeal to dogs with different palates. Nulo has fewer flavor options, mostly based on chicken, turkey, and salmon.
- Ratings: All three brands have high ratings on dogfoodadvisor.com, ranging from 4.5 to 5 stars. However, Solid Gold has the highest average rating of 4.8 stars, followed by Nulo with 4.7 stars, and Fromm with 4.6 stars. Purina Pro Plan has an average rating of 3.2 stars. These ratings are based on the analysis of the ingredients, guaranteed analysis, and estimated nutrient content of each product.
Overall, Nulo, Fromm and Solid Gold are all reputable dog food brands that offer a variety of products for different dogs.
However, they have some differences in their ingredients, flavor options, and ratings that may affect your choice.
You may want to compare the specific products that suit your dog’s needs and preferences.
Here are my top 6 Dog Food Brands:
Discover the Ultimate Dog Food List for 2025
This expertly curated list, developed by top holistic veterinarians, dog food specialists, and a dedicated dog food geek with over 20 years of experience, guarantees your canine companion receives the best nutrition available. Featuring premium ingredients and tailored recommendations, this guide will help you make informed decisions for your dog's health and happiness. Give your dog the premium canine cuisine they deserve and start the new year off right!
Cyndi Smasal, CPDT-KA
Certified Professional Dog Trainer / Integrative Pet Specialist
Author, Pet Nutrition Specialist and Pet Care/Health Coach
Why I’m a “Dog Food Geek”
Twenty years ago my first dog, Norman, was diagnosed with liver disease and given a month to live. I wasn’t ready to give up on him so I did a lot of research (not on Google as it wasn’t what it is today back in 2002). The full story is in my book “Hope for Healing Liver Disease in Your Dog”. What I learned in my research was just how bad the commercial dog food was that I had fed him his whole life. I learned that his commercial food likely contributed to his bad health (at 10 years old). Or if it didn’t cause his poor health, it definitely didn’t help. I can’t tell you how awful the guilt is of realizing that what you’ve been feeding your dog their whole life has led to their current state of bad health. I have spent the last 20 years learning about canine nutrition so that I would never feel that way again.
The good news is that I saved Norman’s life and he went on to live for 2 more years. And the point of this story is that his diet was the major contributing factor in his recovery from cirrhosis. I fed him a fresh home-cooked diet for 2 years. It saved his life and made me a believer in “fresher is better”.